Complete recovery of ischemic cardiomyopathy from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Chest pain with increased troponin level; not always a cardiology issue

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome resulting from decrease or absence of "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif member 13" (ADAMTS13). TTP has been characterized by the classical pentad of thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, fever, renal injury and neurological deficits, yet the patient may present with any atypical symptom related to microthrombi formation in the microcirculation. Here we present a rare case of a young patient with retrosternal chest pain and myocardial injury as the first manifestation of TTP.

Cardiac implications of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a multisystem disorder that essentially can affect any organ in the human body. The hallmark of the pathogenesis in TTP is the large von Willebrand factor multimers on platelet-mediated micro-thrombi formation, leading to microvascular thrombosis. Autopsy studies showed that cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction are the most common immediate causes of death in these patients. Clinical manifestations of cardiac involvement in TTP vary dramatically, from asymptomatic elevation of cardiac biomarkers, to heart failure, MI and sudden cardiac death. There is limited knowledge about optimal cardiac evaluation and management in patients with TTP. The absence of typical cardiac symptoms, combined with complicated multi-organ involvement in TTP, may contribute to the under-utilization of cardiac evaluation and treatment. Prompt diagnosis and timely initiation of effective therapy could be critically important in selected cases. Based on our experience and this review of the literature, we developed several recommendations for focused cardiac evaluation for patients with acute TTP: (1) patients with suspected or confirmed TTP should be screened for the potential presence of cardiac involvement with detailed history and physical, electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes; (2) clinical deterioration of TTP patients warrants immediate cardiac reevaluation; (3) TTP patients with clinical evidence of cardiac involvement should be monitored for telemetry, cardiac biomarkers and evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography. These patients require urgent targeted TTP treatment as well as cardiac-specific treatment. Aspirin therapy is indicated for all TTP patients. Since epicardial coronary artery involvement is rare, cardiac catheterization is usually not required, given the high risk for hemorrhage and kidney injury; (4) we recommend evidence-based medical therapy for ischemic symptoms and heart failure. TTP patients with evidence of cardiac involvement would also benefit from routine cardiology follow up during remission.

Two potentially lethal conditions of probable immune origin occurring in a pregnant woman: a case report

Background

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and peripartum cardiomyopathy are potentially lethal complications of pregnancy. We describe a case in which both of these developed in the same patient. The etiologies of both conditions remain uncertain, but they share immune hyperreactivity as a possible cause.

Case presentation

A 33-year-old Lankan primigravida gave birth at 38 weeks of gestation by cesarean section when she presented with right-sided abdominal pain and a provisional diagnosis of appendicitis. Her pain persisted postoperatively, and on the second postoperative day, she physicaly collapsed suddenly with abdominal distention. Immediate laparotomy revealed generalized oozing from the peritoneum resulting in hemoperitoneum and intestinal hemorrhage. Her laboratory reports showed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. She also had elevated liver enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine concentrations. A diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was made. After a steady recovery, she was discharged from the hospital on the 16th postoperative day, but 12 hours later, she was readmitted with acute-onset progressively worsening shortness of breath. Echocardiography confirmed peripartum cardiomyopathy. She was treated with a bromocriptine and heart failure regimen. At 6 weeks postpartum, her laboratory test results and cardiac function had improved.

Conclusions

A possible autoimmune association might have caused both conditions in our patient. This case report serves as a warning message that pregnant women with one possible condition with autoimmune association could go on to develop other similar conditions.

Ticagrelor-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A case report and review of the literature

RATIONALE

Ticagrelor, a new type of P2Y12 receptor antagonist, has been highly recommended to be used in acute coronary syndrome by the latest guideline, but its side effects are not well-known. We seek to illustrate a potential fatal condition, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), caused by ticagrelor.

PATIENT CONCERNS

An 87-year-old man who had been prescribed with ticagrelor for 2 months after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), presented with severe thrombocytopenia, anemia, renal and liver dysfunction, heart failure and fever.

DIAGNOSES

Peripheral blood smear showed schistocytosis, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) activity is low, with normal initial coagulation tests, which were compatible with a diagnosis of TTP.

INTERVENTIONS

After cessation of ticagrelor and initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange, our patient recovered.

OUTCOMES

Re-administration of ticagrelor aggravated TTP and led the patient to death.

LESSONS

Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of ticagrelor-induced TTP in patients with a history of recent myocardial infarction; It is of crucial significance to discontinue and never reuse ticagrelor as long as it is suspected to be implicated in TTP.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy with a Rapid Progression from Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

An 83-year-old woman who complained of dizziness and nausea visited our hospital. An electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in multiple leads and an echocardiogram showed severe hypokinesis of the anteroseptal wall of the left ventricle. However, emergency coronary angiography showed no stenotic lesions in any coronary arteries. A laboratory examination showed thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, and hemolysis. We therefore diagnosed the patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). While we were preparing to initiate plasma exchange therapy, she suddenly developed cardiopulmonary arrest. A postmortem examination revealed microthrombi in the small vessels of the myocardium. We herein report a case of ischemic cardiomyopathy with a rapid progression from TTP.